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A Retrieved Reformation by O. Henry
Introducing the Story
Literary Skills Focus: Biographical Criticism
TechFocus
Reading Skills Focus: Drawing Conclusions
Writing Skills Focus: Think as a Reader/Writer
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A Retrieved Reformation by O. Henry
Everyone makes mistakes. When is it a good idea to give someone a second chance?
A Retrieved Reformation Introducing the Story
Jimmy Valentine had served ten months in jail for breaking into bank safes.
Will Jimmy take the warden’s advice? Or will he return to his old safecracking ways? [End of Section]
On his release, Jimmy receives advice from the warden: “Brace up, and make a man of yourself. You’re not a bad fellow at heart . . . live straight.”
A Retrieved Reformation Literary Skills Focus: Biographical Criticism
A biographical approach to literary criticism examines a text to see if the writer’s life and experiences are reflected in it.
The story is about a man released from prison.
O. Henry’s story should raise your curiosity about the connections to his life.
A Retrieved Reformation Literary Skills Focus: Biographical Criticism
O. Henry spent some time in prison.
Connections
• What other connections are there between the story and O. Henry’s life?
As you read this story, ask yourself:
A Retrieved Reformation Literary Skills Focus: Biographical Criticism
• How does the story reveal O. Henry’s feelings about prison and about what happens to a man in prison?
• What other attitudes does the author reveal in this story?
[End of Section]
Connections
TechFocus
[End of Section]
A Retrieved Reformation by O. Henry
As you read, imagine what it might be like to conduct a video interview with someone like Jimmy Valentine.
What would you want to know about how his mind works?
A Retrieved Reformation Reading Skills Focus: Drawing Conclusions
When you do biographical criticism, you compare a literary text with information about the author’s
heritage
traditions
attitudes
beliefs
A Retrieved Reformation Reading Skills Focus: Drawing Conclusions
To follow a biographical approach, you
• consider all the evidence
• draw conclusions, or make final judgments, about the relationship between the author’s life and the text
A Retrieved Reformation Writing Skills Focus: Think as a Reader/Writer
Find It in Your Reading
O. Henry is known for writing endings with interesting, unexpected twists.
• As you read, record what you expect to happen in the story based on the way it begins.
• Then, record what actually happens.
[End of Section]
• Explain whether you are surprised by the ending.
Vocabulary
A Retrieved Reformation Vocabulary
rehabilitate v.: restore to good standing.
elusive adj.: hard to catch.
anguish n.: emotional pain.
clemency n.: mercy.
A Retrieved Reformation Vocabulary
Rehabilitate can mean “restore to good standing.” Often, we use rehabilitate to describe actions to restore someone’s physical health.
Nurses helped rehabilitate her by teaching her to use a walker.
A Retrieved Reformation Vocabulary
In this selection, rehabilitate refers to a criminal’s efforts to restore his good standing in the community.
A criminal like Jimmy Valentine might rehabilitate himself by
a. committing crimes
b. staying home
c. taking classes
A Retrieved Reformation Vocabulary
What are other ways to rehabilitate criminals?
A criminal like Jimmy Valentine might rehabilitate himself by
a. committing crimes
b. staying home
c. taking classes
In this selection, rehabilitate refers to a criminal’s efforts to restore his good standing in the community.
A Retrieved Reformation Vocabulary
People may receive clemency, or mercy, after they have behaved badly.
A Retrieved Reformation Vocabulary
This judge is most likely to offer clemency to a prisoner who
a. admits to a crime
b. tries to escape
c. expresses regret
A Retrieved Reformation Vocabulary
When is a teacher most likely to grant clemency to a student who has misbehaved?
a. admits to a crime
b. tries to escape
c. expresses regret
This judge is most likely to offer clemency to a prisoner who
A Retrieved Reformation Vocabulary
Something that is elusive is hard to catch.
Which of these natural objects is elusive?
A Retrieved Reformation Vocabulary
Something that is elusive is hard to catch.
Which of these natural objects is elusive?
A Retrieved Reformation Vocabulary
It was wise for the secret agent to remain elusivebecause ___________________.
A Retrieved Reformation Vocabulary
It was wise for the secret agent to remain elusivebecause she did not want to reveal her identity.
A Retrieved Reformation Vocabulary
Nancy bravely rode the Ferris wheel with her sister, although her fear of heights caused her anguish.
A Retrieved Reformation Vocabulary
Which four words could be antonyms, or opposites, of anguish?
joypain
distress
delight
happiness glee
torment
A Retrieved Reformation Vocabulary
Which four words could be antonyms, or opposites, of anguish?
joypain
distress
delight
happiness glee
torment
What unfortunate incidents might cause a person anguish?
[End of Section]
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